what's the minimum age baby sitter you would hire?

[user703749]

just wondering if anyone has hired young babysitters before (14,15,16 etc) and what age and qualifications you'd want them be/have. Anything about this topic would be much appreciated, thanks

It rather depends on the age of the DC they'd be looking after.

The youngest I've used was 15 (when my youngest was about 7) and she was the eldest sister of one of the DC's friends, thoroughly used to children that age, sensible, and both she and family pretty well known to us.

Have had 14 year old babysitters before, but they've always been friends' daughters who I know are particularly sensible girls. My usual babysitter is 16 though has been babysitting for us since she was 15, and has Aspergers so gets my 10 yo DS1 who also has Aspergers - they sit up all evening playing geeky games and talking about the Periodic Table

I babysit at 14.

18-a neighbour - my dd was 16 with lots of siblings but didn't watch them them til 18 as I was worried about criticism about her being left looking after my kids!

I am using a babysitter tomorrow who is 14..My Ds is 9 though..Would not of considered it earlier...

I think 14yo is fine as long as the children they are babysitting are >3yo.

For under 3's, I would say at least 16yo.

13 or 14 is fine if the babysitter is very responsible and mature. I know immature unaware 17 year olds I wouldn't trust. It very much depends on the person.

Parents are still responsible even when absent if the babysitter is under 16

I was 14 when I babysat for two children at the end of my road who were about 8 and 4. I earned £5 a night.

We have a girl of 14 who does the odd evening - we only use her if we're staying local & one of her parents is gone so she call them in an emergency. Dc 6 & 10

thanks for all the replies, really helpful

As others have said, it depends on all sorts - the age of your own child, the number of your children, where you will be (next door or an hour away), how well you know the teen, the confidence and experience of the particular teen, if the dc will be awake, if the teen's parents are next door, how long you will be out for, how well the dc know and respect the teen, etc.,etc.
I've used a 14 yr old when my dc were younger, and my dd1 has sat from when she was 14.

I was just 13 when I babysat.
I think 14 is the legal minimum

I looked after babies too... eek! Must have presented well, I guess. Not sure I'd let a 13 year old take care of a baby

There's no minimum legal age for a babysitter but under 16s cannot be held legally responsible for mishaps.